ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
TDB approves support for indigenous company for ramping up production of COVID-19 diagnostic kits
Real-time PCR based molecular diagnostic kit that screens and detects COVID 19 from samples of flu-like symptoms.
The Technology Development Board , a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology , has approved financial support to MyLab Discovery Solutions, Pune, for ramping up production of COVID-19 diagnostic kits they have developed.The company has submitted an application in response to its invitation for proposals for technologically innovative solutions towards fighting COVID-19.
Mylab Discovery Solutions is the first indigenous company to develop real-time PCR based molecular diagnostic kit that screens and detects COVID 19 from samples of people who display flu-like symptoms. With support from TDB, they will ramp up the production of the kits through automation of the facility from current manual process, thereby increasing its current capacity from 30000 tests per day to one lakh test per day. The company is expected to complete the automation within the next few months. This kit has been approved by ICMR and CDSCO. The kit will be deployed in a very short time, considering the national emergency.
TDB invited applications from Indian companies and enterprises to strengthen the nation’s core capacities in surveillance, infection prevention, control, laboratory support, and in particular, the preparedness in terms of isolation and ventilator management of critically ill patients for containing, preventing the spread of COVID-9 on March 20, 2020. TDB’s mandate is to provide financial assistance to private limited companies for the commercialization of Indigenous technologies. MyLab was one of the companies responding to the invitation.
The aim of this call was to strengthen the nation’s core capacities in surveillance, infection prevention/ control, laboratory support, and in particular, the preparedness in terms of isolation and ventilator management of critically ill patients for containing/ preventing the spread of COVID-9. As the critical need of the hour is to escalate testing, isolation and contact tracing so that the chain of spread can be broken, TDB has processed the first set of proposals related to these categories on priority, and the support was finalised after a stringent evaluation process involving experts from government and academic institutions like IITs, IISc, AIIMS, ICMR, DST, and DBT.
Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary DST & Chairman TDB, expressed, “Work in the times of virus has taught us an unprecedented intensity of purpose achieved with speed, efficiency, and quality, which should become the new normal post-COVID-19. Having a team of young professionals with energy and expertise always works!”
M/s MyLab Discovery Solutions, Pune
[For more details, Cdr Navneet Kaushik, Sc 'E', Technology Development Board, navneetkaushik.tdb[at]gmail[dot]com , Mob: 9560611391]
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves Hitachi's proposed acquisition of 80.1% in power grid business of ABB Limited
The Competition Commission of India  approves proposed acquisition of 80.1% stake by Hitachi in the power grid business of ABB Limited, in its meeting held today through video conferencing
The proposed combination envisages acquisition of 80.1% share capital of ABB Management Holding AG  by Hitachi Limited  from ABB Limited . ABB Management will hold the entire power grid business of ABB .
Hitachi, headquartered in Japan, is the parent company of the Hitachi group of companies. It is active in a variety of business segments including IT Solution, Energy Solution, Industry Solution, Mobility Solution, and Smart Life Solution.
The Target Business involves development, engineering, manufacturing and sale of products, systems and projects in the power grids sector.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Ministry of Finance
India and ADB Signs $110 Million Loan to Improve Rural Connectivity in Madhya Pradesh
Government of India and Asian Development Bank  today signed a $110 million loan to finance the upgrade of 2,800 kilometers all-weather rural roads in the State of Madhya Pradesh under the Prime Minister's Rural Roads Program .
Tranche 2 loan is part of the $500 million Second Rural Connectivity investment Program for India approved by the ADB Board in December 2017. The overall program is aimed at improving rural connectivity, facilitating safer and more efficient access to livelihood and socio-economic opportunities for rural communities through improvements to about 12,000 kilometers rural roads across the states of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Tranche 1 loan of $250 million is currently under implementation in the 5 project states, upgrading over 6,000 km of rural roads.
The signatories to the Second Rural Connectivity lnvestment Programme were Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, who signed on behalf of the Government of India; and Mr. Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of ADB's India Resident Mission, who signed for ADB.
"The tranche 2 of the project will provide continued assistance to the PMGSY by upgrading rural roads in Madhya Pradesh that will support the Government's long term goal to achieve inclusive economic growth in rural India. lt will give a big boost to the country’s rural connectivity initiative," said Mr. Khare after signing the loan agreement.
"The loan will improve mobility for self-employment and livelihood opportunities in rural areas by improving access to district centers," said Mr. Yokoyama. "The project will continue to support the Government's drive for innovative approaches to reduce costs, conserve non-renewable natural resources, and promote the use of waste materials in rural road construction."
ln view of increased rainfall and storm surges in Madhya Pradesh, the road designs take into account these climate risks with measures such as greater elevation of road embankments and slope protection. Women were extensively consulted during the project design and will gain some key benefits, including improved access to healthcare, livelihoods and schooling.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members---48 from the region. in 2017, ADB operations totalled $32.2 billion' including $11.9 billion in co-financing.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Farmers’ Groups in Akola use Direct Marketing to sell 850 metric tonnes of produce worth Rs. 8.5 crores during Lockdown period
Since the beginning of the lockdown period due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India has been taking several measures to facilitate farmers and farming activities at field level.
The lockdown coincides with the harvest season of the Rabi crops. The Department has been making concerted efforts so that farmers do not face any difficulties in selling their produce. To assure better returns especially for perishable crops like fruits and vegetables, the department encourages farmers to engage in ‘Direct marketing’. To promote the concept of Direct Marketing among farmers, the Department assists farmers/ group of farmers/Farmer Producer Organistions/ Cooperatives in selling their produce to bulk buyers/big retailers/processors etc.
In the Akola district of Maharashtra, farmers have worked out an inspiring model of direct marketing in which 69 farmer groups have sold crops worth 8.5 crore rupees directly to customers during the lockdown period.
Under the guidance of the District Agriculture Department, the farmers have been selling fresh vegetables and fruits directly to the customers at reasonable prices through 93 Direct Selling Outlets. These outlets are located in urban areas of Akola as well as, in nearby districts. Apart from these organised selling outlets, the farmers have put up small stalls at important spots in the area and are also providing door to door delivery.
One of the farmers in the group says, “We have already sold 850 metric tonnes of crops including fruits and vegetables so far. In order to save time and effort, our groups also use methods like online payments and order-on-phone service”.
Mohan Wagh, Project Officer, Agricultural Technology Management Agency, Akola says “With the implementation of the model, we have ensured that the farmers do not suffer due to the lockdown and are able to sell their produce at a decent price. Our Department issues identity cards and passes for the farmers and vehicles for the smooth management of the system.”
To prevent the spread of the COVID-19, the District Agriculture Department has advised farmers to use masks, sanitizers and practise social distancing on the farms and in the mandis.
In this context, it may be recalled that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently expressed his appreciation for the functioning of Farmer Producers Organizations in Maharashtra and exhorted them to use digital platforms to sell more. He said this while speaking to the sarpanch of Medankarwadi, Maharashtra, during an online video interaction with sarpanchs across the country, on Panchayati Raj Diwas.
Prime Minister's Office
Delegation from Pacific Pension and Investment Institute, calls on PM
A delegation from the Pacific Pension and Investment  Institute, led by its President, Mr. Lionel C. Johnson, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
The delegation members praised the pace of economic reforms in India, and emphasized the growth potential that exists in the country. Various aspects of the economy such as FDI, GST came up for discussion.
The Prime Minister highlighted various possibilities for investment in India. He spoke of the recent reforms and steps taken for ease of doing business. He said the rising aspirations of India's people, along with robust economic fundamentals, represent a significant opportunity for investment. He emphasized on the potential of investment in the renewable energy and organic farming sectors. He appreciated the fact that the PPI Institute holds the funds that it is investing, as a trustee, and added that this concept of trusteeship is well understood in India, and was even articulated by Mahatma Gandhi.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
IBBI to hold Conference on “Entrepreneurship Liberty: Freedom of Entry, Competition and Exit” and IP Conclave under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav tomorrow
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India  is organising a one-day iconic event on 10th June 2022 at the Habitat Centre, New Delhi, to mark the glorious conclusion of the on-going celebrations across 75 locations across the country, to trace the journey of reforms in the three stages of a business.
Markets need freedom, broadly, at three stages of a business - to start a business , to continue the business  and to discontinue the business . The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 offers a market directed, time bound mechanism for resolution of insolvency, wherever possible, or exit, wherever required, and thereby ensures the ultimate freedom, the freedom to exit, facilitating ease of doing business.
Hon’ble Justice Ashok Bhushan Chairperson, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal will grace the occasion as Chief Guest. Shri Rajesh Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairperson, Competition Commission of India; and Shri Praveen Kumar, DG & CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs will be the Guests of Honour at the event. The Conference shall be followed by a half day Insolvency Professional Conclave.
Further Shri Dharmender Singh Hon’ble Member , National Company Law Tribunal; Shri Avinash K. Srivastava Hon’ble Member , National Company Law Tribunal; Shri Anant Barua Whole Time Member, Securities and Exchange Board of India Shri Satish Kumar Gupta Insolvency Professional; Shri Debajyoti Ray Chaudhuri MD & CEO, National E-Governance Services Ltd.; Shri Kapil Mantri Head M&A, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd.; Shri Amarjit Singh Chandhiok Senior Advocate; President, INSOL India ; Shri Shardul Shroff Executive Chairman, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. and CS Alka Kapoor, COO ICSI IIP will also address the participants at the event.
A publication titled, “Anusandhaan: Exploring New Perspectives on Insolvency” containing 26 research papers that emerged out of an international research conference organized by IBBI and IIM Ahmedabad recently is also scheduled to be released during the inaugural session of the Conference.
Large number of stakeholders of the IBC ecosystem, from across the country, including insolvency professionals, registered valuers, economists, financial creditors, service providers, researchers, students, professionals, regulators, academia and government officers are expected to join the Conference both in physical well as online mode.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav  is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. Since the beginning of AKAM celebrations which was started on 12th March, 2021 by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. IBBI has organized several activities and events as part of the Mahotsav.
For more detailed programme, CLICK HERE.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh interacts with 2022 Commonwealth Games medalists & participants of the Armed Forces in New Delhi;
Lauds them for their superlative performance & making the Nation proud
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh interacted, in New Delhi on August 12, 2022, with the Armed Forces personnel who brought laurels to the country in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games at Birmingham, United Kingdom. It is a commendable feat that 15 sportspersons from the three services bagged six Gold, four Silver and five Bronze medals for India, out of the total 31 personnel who participated in the Games held between July 28 - August 08, 2022.
Gold medalists Naib Subedar Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Havildar Achinta Sheuli, Subedar Amit, Subedar Deepak Punia, Ag PO PT Naveen and Ag PO Com  Eldhose Paul attended the felicitation ceremony along with Silver and Bronze medal winners as well as other participants. Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the contingent for their superlative performance, encouraging them to excel in all future sporting events and bring glory to the nation. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen BS Raju were present on the occasion.
The list of medal winners of the three Services is as follows:
|
|
S No
|
|
Service
|
|
Name
|
|
Discipline
|
|
Performance
|
|
1
|
|
Army
|
|
Nb Sub Jeremy Lalrinnunga
|
|
Weightlifting
|
|
Gold
|
|
2
|
|
Hav Achinta Sheuli
|
|
Weightlifting
|
|
Gold
|
|
3
|
|
Sub Amit
|
|
Boxing
|
|
Gold
|
|
4
|
|
Sub Deepak Punia
|
|
Wrestling 
|
|
Gold
|
|
5
|
|
Nb Sub Avinash Sable
|
|
Athletics
|
|
Silver
|
|
6
|
|
Sub Sandeep
|
|
Athletics
|
|
Bronze
|
|
7
|
|
Sub Md Hussamuddin
|
|
Boxing
|
|
Bronze
|
|
8
|
|
Rect Hav Deepak
|
|
Wrestling 
|
|
Bronze
|
|
9
|
|
Air Force
|
|
JWO Vikas Thakur
|
|
Weightlifting
|
|
Silver
|
|
10
|
|
JWO Gururaja
|
|
Bronze
|
|
11
|
|
SGT A Aboobacker
|
|
Triple Jump
|
|
Silver
|
|
12
|
|
Navy
|
|
Ag PO PT Naveen
|
|
Wrestling
|
|
Gold
|
|
13
|
|
Ag PO Com  Eldhose Paul
|
|
Triple Jump
|
|
Gold
|
|
14
|
|
Com I  Lovepreet Singh
|
|
Weightlifting
|
|
Bronze
|
|
15
|
|
POCOM  Jugraj Singh
|
|
Hockey
|
|
Silver
SR/GC/Savvy
(Visitor Counter : 1007
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
The inaugural webinar of the nationwide “Anubhav Awardees Speak” Webinar Series was held on the 22nd of November 2022
On the directions of the Prime Minister of India, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare  had launched an online platform entitled ‘Anubhav’ in March 2015. It is a means for retiring employees to showcase significant achievements made during their service period. It also provides them with an opportunity to convey information related to their contribution in enhancing the effectiveness of the various Government policies. Anubhav Portal provides a Platform to retiring Government Employees for sharing their experiences while working in different Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
92 Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations have registered on Anubhav Portal of this Department and 8722 write-ups have been published as on 30.09.2022. The retiring employees submit a write-up voluntarily of up to 5000 words along with appropriate attachments, if needed, on the portal. The retiring employees can submit the write-up on any of the 20 defined areas. The Anubhav Awards ceremony was started from 2016 as an annual feature to encourage retiring government employees to share their government experience on their retirement. The awards constitute a Medal, a Certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 10,000. Dr Jitendra Singh conferred Anubhav Awards on 15 awardees for year 2019-20, 20-21 & 21-22.
The inaugural webinar of the nationwide “Anubhav Awardees Speak” Webinar Series was held on the 22nd of November 2022. The session was chaired by Secretary  and lead speakers of the session were Dr. Helen Basil, senior Engineer/Scientist, ISRO [Anubhav Awardee, 2022] and Sh. K. Santeppa, Scientist-H, DRDO [Anubhav Awardee, 2020]. The second webinar was held on 22.12.2022 and featured Dr. T Sekar, CAPF, Inspector General of Police [Anubhav Awardee, 2021] and Ms. Nagalakshmi N, P&TAFS, D/o Posts [Anubhav Awardee, 2021] as lead speakers. 1020 participants attended the webinar. Anubhav Awardees shared their experiences. Dr. T. Sekar appreciated the Prime Minister’s Initiatives for giving post retirement awards. Ms. Nagalakshmi. N suggested that Anubhav Award citation may be printed on cover for posterity in philately Museum.
Subsequent webinars will take place on a monthly basis. The webinar series will feature two previous Anubhav Awardees as speakers to share their experience and to motivate/raise awareness among retiring employees on filling up their own experiences on the Anubhav Portal.
The webinar series aims to facilitate experience sharing with relevant stakeholders and concerned Ministries/Departments/Organizations. It is envisaged that this culture of leaving notes by retirees will become the foundation stone of good governance and administrative reforms in future.
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
210.02 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
35,33,466 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 97,648
Active cases stand at 0.22%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.59%
11,726 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,37,23,944
9,531 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
88.27 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 2,29,546 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Textiles
Vice President Gives Away Textiles Awards
Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu presenting Textiles Awards in New Delhi
The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu conferred awards on 17 persons for their outstanding contribution in different fields of textiles sector in New Delhi this evening. During the ceremony he was presented commemorative stamps on GI registered handicrafts.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President said that the textiles sector is playing a pivotal role in the economy and it needs to be recognized and respected by all. He said that the Textiles Ministry has taken several initiatives during the last 4 and half years, which will yield rich dividends and help India become one of the three largest economies of the world. He expressed hope that the felicitation of awardees will inspire others to do more to get recognition. The Vice President said that there is no dearth of talent in the country and the only thing that is needed is to tap the available talent by proper skilling and encouragement. Shri Venkaiah Naidu stressed on improving the quality of products to become competitive in international markets and called upon the textiles industry to create brand for Indian textiles products.
Union Minister of Textiles, SmritiZubinIrani, in her address said that the Textiles Ministry is for the first time giving awards to people who have made significant contribution to textiles sector. She said that the Textiles Ministry will address the issues flagged during the day long ‘National Conclave on Accomplishments and Way Forward for Textiles Sector’ which concluded with award ceremony presided over by the Vice President of India. Seventeen awards in different categories were given away by the Vice President for outstanding performance and excellence in various spheres of textiles industry.
Earlier in the day, the national conclave was inaugurated by the Union Textiles Minister. It was also addressed by the Minister of State, Ajay Tamta and Textiles Secretary,Raghvendra Singh. The inaugural session was followed by panel discussions on technical textiles, ease of doing textiles business, handicrafts, access to global markets and supply chains and fashionizing weaves.
The two-day outreach programme was launched last evening in the premises of Red Fort with presentation of eight special recognition awards for the excellent work in textiles sector. In addition, 16 artisans were felicitated who have enriched the handloom sector with their creative work in weaving and printing. The event was followed by Textiles Show-Artisan Speak.
The last four and half years have been transformational for thissector. Industry specific policies, technological upgradations, focus on research & development, investment in human resources and strategic intervention for market promotion have made Indian textiles most desirable and trusted brand on the global map.
|
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
|
COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Day 253
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 85 crore landmark milestone
More than 62 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
In a landmark achievement, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 85 Crore landmark milestone  today. More than 62 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10371187
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
8826754
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,48,906
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,48,07,215
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
34,63,98,173
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7,33,10,343
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
15,58,92,878
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7,35,24,500
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
9,94,21,998
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
5,45,76,325
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
63,04,33,142
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
22,50,45,137
|
|
Total
|
|
85,54,78,279
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 25thSeptember, 2021 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
270
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10,657
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
403
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
42,910
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
22,38,154
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
22,27,471
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
5,46,752
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
6,06,936
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
2,82,235
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2,86,334
|
|
1st Dose Administered in Total
|
|
30,67,814
|
|
2nd Dose Administered in Total
|
|
31,74,308
|
|
Total
|
|
62,42,122
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.